Wind Turbine Component Protection Device for Weak Power Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern wind turbines face challenges in ensuring safe operation of electrical components due to increased requirements for robustness against grid disturbances and fluctuations, particularly in weak internal power supply networks, where components have varying tolerances to voltage and frequency changes.
Innovation Solution
A component protection device with a multi-channel network quality detector, tolerance matrix unit, and operating matrix unit is implemented to selectively switch off components when parameter deviations exceed tolerance limits, along with an arbitration module for prioritizing component supply based on importance and urgency, ensuring safe operation even in dynamic conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of electrical components in modern wind turbines is increased to meet operational requirements, then the functionality and operational capability of the wind turbine is improved, but the complexity of the internal power supply system increases and the risk of failures due to grid disturbances increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power supply system by introducing a component protection device that individually monitors and controls each electrical component's power supply based on its specific tolerance characteristics. This segmentation allows the system to manage complexity through modular, component-specific control rather than system-wide control, enabling increased component count while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation by continuously monitoring grid parameters (voltage, frequency) and dynamically adjusting the operational state of individual components based on real-time tolerance assessments. The component protection device dynamically switches components on or off depending on current grid conditions and component-specific tolerance limits, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions without requiring oversizing of the power supply infrastructure.
2Ease of operation
If fixed division of components into usage classes is implemented, then power management becomes simpler, but the system's ability to respond to dynamic disturbances and varying grid conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static classification with dynamic assessment. Instead of permanently assigning components to fixed usage classes, the system continuously evaluates each component's tolerance status based on real-time grid parameters and dynamically determines operational eligibility. This dynamic approach maintains ease of operation through automated decision-making while achieving high adaptability to varying grid conditions and disturbances.
Solution Approach 2:
The component protection device implements continuous feedback by monitoring grid parameters (voltage, frequency) and component operational states, then using this feedback to dynamically adjust component operational status. The system compares actual grid parameters against component-specific tolerance thresholds and automatically switches components on or off accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that is both simple to operate and highly responsive to dynamic conditions.
3Reliability
If component-specific tolerance monitoring and selective switching is implemented, then system robustness against grid disturbances is improved, but the complexity of control systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent manages control complexity through segmentation by creating a modular component protection device that handles each electrical component independently. Each component has its own tolerance profile stored in memory, and the control logic processes components individually based on their specific characteristics. This segmented approach allows high reliability through component-specific optimization while keeping control complexity manageable through modular architecture and standardized control procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The component protection device implements self-service control by automatically monitoring grid parameters, comparing them against stored tolerance thresholds, and autonomously switching components on or off without requiring external intervention. The system stores component-specific tolerance data in memory and uses this stored information to make automatic control decisions, reducing the need for complex real-time calculations and external control inputs while maintaining high system robustness.
4Quantity of substance
If the internal power supply network is weakly dimensioned to reduce costs, then installation costs are reduced, but the network becomes more susceptible to parameter fluctuations and component failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent accepts that components may need to be temporarily taken offline (sacrificed from operation) to protect the overall system. The component protection device selectively switches individual components off when grid parameters exceed tolerance thresholds, allowing the weakly dimensioned power network to operate without causing cascading failures. This approach allows cost-effective network sizing while maintaining system reliability through controlled, individual component protection rather than requiring expensive network upgrades.
Solution Approach 2:
The component protection device acts as an intermediary between the weakly dimensioned power network and the electrical components. It buffers the impact of network parameter fluctuations by monitoring grid conditions and selectively disconnecting components that would be vulnerable to damage. This intermediary function allows the system to use a smaller, more cost-effective power network while still protecting components from harmful fluctuations through intelligent, real-time control.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5b
AI summary
The invention relates to a wind energy plant comprising a wind rotor (12) with an on-site power supply network (30) for supplying electrically operated components (3) of the wind energy plant (1).A component protection device (2) is provided, which includes a multi-channel power quality detector (4) for detecting at least two parameter deviations in the auxiliary power supply network (30) with respect to normal values, in particular voltage and frequency, a tolerance matrix unit (5) and an operating matrix unit (6), which interact in such a way that the tolerance limits for the parameter deviations are stored in the tolerance matrix unit (5) for the individual components (3), and a blocking signal is stored in the operating matrix unit (6) for the components (3) on a component-specific basis when the tolerance limit is exceeded, and furthermore a switching device (22) is provided, which interacts with the operating matrix unit (6) in such a way that if at least one blocking signal is present for one of the components (3), this component is switched off.This allows a weak self-consumption network to be protected, both against impairments caused by disturbances from the network to which the wind turbine is connected and from which the self-consumption network is supplied, and against disturbances caused by high power demands from a large number of connected components on the self-consumption network.